The Indian team was seen wearing a black armband in Dubai ahead of the semifinals against Australia on 4 March 2025, the gesture was a tribute to the late Padmakar Srikar, the left-arm spinner from Mumbai who passed away on 3 March 2025 at the age of 84. Shivalkar had a magnificent 20 year playing career in which he featured in 124 first class games and took 589 wickets with an outstanding average of 19.69.
He was also awarded the prestigious Colonel CK Naidu Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017. He was a slow left arm, orthodox bowler who played for Bombay for 20 years and is the team’s highest all-time wicket-taker. He also wrote a book, Ha Chendu Daivagaticha.
Why cricketers wear Black armbands?
Cricketers display black armbands to show their respect and grief for important figures of the cricket world or society at the time of their passing. The black band symbolizes tribute by merging both tributes and condolences which serve to honor deceased persons. The emotional gesture finds use in cricket by sportspeople of all disciplines as well as famous public figures.
The cricket players display black armbands during matches which occur after significant deaths affecting former teammates and coaches as well as important public figures who supported either cricket organization or their nation. Wearing these black straps becomes a means to exhibit united support and maintain the memory of remarkable figures in the sport at the time of their death.
Can India get the Aussies this time?
The Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss and chose to bat first. India’s long time migraine in cricket Travis Head, was dismissed by Varun Chakravarty just on the second ball of his first over on a mere 39 runs. Australian skipper Steve Smith was dismissed by Indian ace pacer Mohammad Shami on 73 runs. Axar Patel bowled another dangerous man for India, Glenn Maxwell to the second ball after getting hit by a six.
